Clyde Higgs MSc Scholarship: Adam Smyth

“Having grown up on a dairy farm I have always been passionate about dairy farming. Prior to commencing my MSc at Harper Adams, I completed an honours degree at Queens University Belfast in Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies. As part of this course I spent one year in Methven, New Zealand, working on a dairy farm.

“As part of my undergraduate degree, I spent a placement year in Canterbury, New Zealand on a 500-cow spring calving dairy farm. Having the opportunity to work in a different country and experience their system and way of operating was brilliant. New Zealand is a beautiful place and I had the opportunity to spend 6 weeks travelling completing everything from skiing to New Zealand’s highest bungie jump. Having a placement year away is brilliant and something I would recommend to anyone who gets the chance.

“I am ambitious to have a successful career in agriculture. The MSc in Ruminant Nutrition at Harper Adams is well recognised as being one of the best available courses. It is for this reason that I decided to apply to study at Harper Adams and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far.

“I’d like to thank the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust for awarding me the Clyde Higgs MSc Scholarship. I am very grateful to have received this scholarship, which has made a significant contribution to my study costs and allows me to dedicate more time to my postgraduate work.

“Using the scholarship, I intend on visiting Holland to take part in a certified master Cow Signals training course. Both the MSc in Ruminant Nutrition and the Cow Signals course will be very beneficial in helping me have a successful career in agriculture.

“My ultimate career ambition is to become a dairy consultant in the UK, providing advice to dairy farmers to help them maximise the potential of their farms. Agriculture is something we all depend on and I hope to contribute to its growth and success in the future. Being awarded this scholarship is a massive bonus in helping me achieve this.”